Apparatus for diagonal progressive scanning video and method of improving aiming visibility, reducing tilt dependence and improving read range

ABSTRACT

A method to improving aiming visibility, reducing tilt dependence and improving read range of a scanner with a very thin lighting path embedding the lighting path 3D volume of view. Physical pixel height is enlarged to aid optical imaging plane alignment. A selective filter centered on the lighting wavelength is placed in the image path. The height of the pixel is artificially reduced to m*w, where m is the lens magnification and w is the light thickness. A laser scanner utilizing a 2D resonant electrostatic micro-mirror to enable projection or acquisition of a discrete image. Diagonal progressive scanning is used to maximize the frequency values so shock resistance of the mirror is increased.

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/605657 filed 30 Aug. 2004 entitled Method of Improving Aiming Visibility Reducing Tilt Dependence and Improving Read Range of Bar Code and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/635263 filed 10 Dec. 2004 entitled Method and Apparatus For Diagonal Progressive Scanning Video With A Resonant Electrostatic Silicon Mirror.

U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/605657 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/635263 are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to scanners and bar code readers. More particularly it relates to a laser scanner having 2-D resonant electrostatic micro-mirror that enables projection or acquisition of a discrete image. The present invention also relates to a method of improving aiming visibility, reducing tilt dependence and improving read range of solid state 1D/2D stacked bar code readers.

2. Description of Related Art

Prior art scanners and bar code readers of two primary types solid state readers and laser scanners. Solid state bar code readers include CCD (charge coupled device) and CMOS (complimentary metal oxide semiconductor) readers. CCD readers use a row or array of photocells. A line or rectangular areas of bar code is illuminated by a light source, typically LEDs built into the scanner. A 1D bar code is typically a pattern of light and dark lines of varying width. A 1D bar code does not vary vertically. Information is stored along only 1-dimention, the width, of a 1D bar code. A 1D bar code can be read with a reader having a line of LEDs illuminating a line across the width of the bar code.

There are many types of 2D bar codes. A 2D bar code may use stack bar code symbology, a multi-row code or a matrix symbology. A 2D bar code stores information along the width and height of the bar code. The pattern varies both horizontally and vertically. To read a 2D bar code, the scanner needs to have an array of LEDs illuminating the rectangular area of the 2D bar code.

The photosensors 20 in the CCD scanners reads the bar code illuminated by the light source. CMOS readers also capture light on a grid of small photosensors 20. Prior art solid state bar code scanners rely on a lighting path 22 encompassing the image plane and the 3D volume of view 26.

Because the lighting path must encompass the 3D volume of view, prior art solid state bar code scanners can only “read” what is illuminated. Thus, one disadvantage is that these readers cannot be used with bar codes that are wider or larger than the lighting path.

A CCD scanner does not have to be in direct contact with the surface of the bar code; however, its depth of focus is limited. Thus, another disadvantage is that these prior art scanners cannot be used for far field scanning. CCD scanners suffer from low brightness when used at a far field. Further, there is low photometric coupling efficiency. In other words a portion of the light is not captured by the photosensors 20.

Yet another disadvantage with prior art readers, is that they are tilt dependent when reading high-resolution 1D bar codes and thin row 2D stacked bar codes. In other words, the scanner works significantly better when the light is substantially perpendicular to the bar code. The scanning ability is diminished as the light hits the bar codes from a greater or lesser angle such as occurs when the scanner is tilted.

Laser scanners use a moving light source to illuminate the bar code and a photocell receives the reflected light. Oscillating mirror(s) sweep the beam across the bar code. The beam can be swept horizontally to read 1D bar codes or the beam can sweep horizontally and vertically in a raster pattern to read 2D bar codes. Because the light emitted from a laser diverges very little as it travels, laser scanners can be used at far field.

In raster scanning, two mirrors scanning in orthogonal directions or one mirror scanning in two dimensions, and a modulated light source generates a 2-D image on a screen.

In other laser scanners, an optical imaging of a line of pixels or matrix of pixels is swept over the scene by a scanning mirror to image the scene as a whole. Pixels can be diffractive or reflective elements.

In digital light processing (DLP) displays, reflective LCD displays, a matrix of micro-mirrors is imaged as a whole onto the projection display to get a 2 dimensional image. The 2-D array of mirrors are less sensitive to the mirror surface curvature and scan with more uniformity than scanners using a 1-D array or raster-scanned displays. Moreover, the electronic throughput is lower and spatial resolution is better.

In grating light valve displays, a line of pixel is made of a 1-dimensional array of light modulators whose the image is swept over a screen by a scanning mirror to get a 2-dimensional image.

A disadvantage of 1-D or 2-D pixel array displays is that they require successful fabrication of many elements while raster-scanned display requires only one element.

Raster-scanned displays can be made smaller and at less cost than 2-D and 1-D scanned displays, making them more appealing for portable display applications.

Prior art, full electrostatic driven single mirror arrangements with electrodes underneath the mirror provide some degree of linearization. However, these scanners suffer from cross-talk, high voltage driving, and are difficult to package at the wafer level.

Prior art, 2-D gimbals suspended mirror with electrodes in the chip plane have simplified packaging with low pressure cavity at the wafer level, high frequency operation at low power driving, and allow independent excitation of both axis and the doesn't suffer from cross talk. However, these are difficult to manufacture and are fragile. The mirrors have low driving torques. As a result, both axes must be actuated in resonance so the oscillations are nonlinear. High Q factor and manufacturing tolerances make it virtually impossible to drive synchronously both axes at predefined frequencies. Moreover, low oscillation frequency value leads to fragile device because of long suspension hinges.

Existing miniaturized optical scanning for projection displays are expensive and power hungry. The current emerging display technologies target large format displays and do not meet the weight and power requirements of mobile applications. There is a need for durable, lightweight, low-power, inexpensive video displays that can be readily manufactured.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a solid state scanner with easy aiming using a bright line of light. It is a further object of the present invention to enable imaging and lighting plane alignment at a far field. It is a further object of the present invention to reduce tilt dependence around the Z-axis.

The lighting path of the inventive 1D/2D stacked bar code solid state reader is very thin and is embedded in the 3D volume of view. Physical pixel height is enlarged to aid imaging plane alignment. A selective filter centered on the lighting wavelength is placed in the image path. The filter can be on the sensor, in the lens or between the sensor and the lens.

The height of the pixels is artificially reduced to m*w, where m is the lens magnification and w is the light thickness. Thus, spatial resolution is no longer a function of the actual pixel size and aperture height but depends only on the thickness of the image of the light path. Furthermore, the tolerance of the tilt angle is improved.

In the inventive scanner, the lighting beam is thin. As a result, it is brighter and the aiming function is improved. All the light is included in the 3D volume of view and all rays backscattered by the barcode enters the optic aperture impinge the pixels. This optimizes the coupling efficiency between the lighting and light converter. Photons are converted.

The inventive laser scanner utilizes 2D resonant electrostatic micro-mirror to enable projection or acquisition of a discrete image. Diagonal progressive scanning is used to maximize the frequency values so shock resistance can be increased. Effective eigenfrequencies are tuned by a constant dc voltage added to the driving clocks. Compared to prior art interleaved scanning, the inventive progressive scanning is free of line crawl, interline twitter, field aliasing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a prior art scanner utilizing a prior art scanning method.

FIG. 2 is a scanner utilizing the inventive scanning method of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an alternative inventive scanner.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the alternative inventive scanner.

FIGS. 5 a and 5 b show the scanning directions of the alternative scanner of FIGS. 3 and 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A linear CCD (charge coupled device) or CMOS (complimentary mental oxide semiconductor) scanner or bar code reader is used to read 1D/2D stacked bar codes. Light path 12 is thin relative to 3D volume of view 14 and is embedded within 3D volume of view 14. The physical pixel height of the photosensor 10 is enlarged without increasing the number of pixels to help optical and imaging plane alignment. A selective filter centered on the light wavelength is placed in the image path. The filter can be placed on the sensor 10, in the lens of the scanner or between the sensor and the lens. The height of the pixels illuminated is artificially reduced to m*w, where m is the lens magnification and w is the light path 12 thickness.

The spatial resolution is no longer a function of the actual pixel aperture height but depends only on the thickness of the image of the light path 12. As a result, the scanner's tolerance to tilt angle is improved. Further, because all the light is included in the 3D volume of view 14 all rays backscattered by the codes enter the optical aperture and impinge on the pixels. This optimizes the coupling efficiency between light rays scattered by the bar code and light converted by the photosensor 10.

Thin light beam 12 is brighter so the aiming function of the scanner is improved. Because of the bright line of light aiming is easy and allows imaging and lighting plane alignment at a far filed. Further, tilt dependence is reduced around the Z-axis.

Turning now to FIGS. 3-5, the inventive laser scanner utilizes 2D resonant electrostatic micro-mirror 100 to enable projection or acquisition of a discrete image. Diagonal progressive scanning is used to maximize the frequency values so shock resistance can be increased. Effective eigenfrequencies are tuned by a constant dc voltage added to the driving clocks. Compared to prior art interleaved scanning, the inventive progressive scanning is free of line crawl, interline twitter, field aliasing.

The laser scanner comprises a resonant micro actuator with a gimbals structure and electrodes 104 in the plane of the resting position 106 of the wafer. The microactuator comprises a static outer frame 110 that is anchored 140 in the scanner. A mirror 100 in a moveable frame 108 is rotably connected to outer frame 110. Mirror 100 is connected in a gimbals structure by torsional springs 102 to movable frame 108. A laser beam is projected toward mirror 100 and deflected in two directions, x and y, as mirror 100 oscillate.

Two driving clocks 120, 122 are used to control the oscillations of mirror 100 of microactuator. Two digital counters dividing a common clock are used to deliver accurate driving clocks 120, 122. The two digital counters are driven by a master clock 130.

Driving clocks 120, 122 that drive mirror 100 have frequency values in exact proportion of a rational number (i.e., a fraction of two integers) close to unity such that k=16 1/n where n is a natural number. This is results in Lissajou pattern where lines are sequentially traced in a progressive manner. Alternatively, the two driving clocks have a frequency values in exact proportion of a rational number less than unity.

Two digital counters dividing a common clock deliver accurate driving clocks. The X and Y effective eigenfrequencies 124, 126 are matched to driving clocks 120, 122 by adding a DC voltage 128 to driving clocks 120, 122 which changes the effective stiffness of torsional springs 102. This tuning is close-looped to the detection of a minimum amplitude oscillation. The scan field is adjusted by varying the voltage amplitude of the driving clock with a response time longer that the eigenfrequencies tuning.

An advantage of having a k value close to or less than 1 is that one gets progressive scanning along the diagonals of the image, while avoiding disadvantages of interleaved scanning. Another advantage of low k factor value is that the oscillation frequencies can be maximized. Further, even with a low inertia limited mirror surface the microactuator is robust.

The driving oscillation command is preferably generated with two digital counters driven by a master clock 130 whose the value is a common multiple of the x- and y-oscillations. Preferably, the frequency value of the master clock 130 is the least common multiple of the x- and y-oscillations.

For example, with k=A/N=1+½n, the beam will trace a first stack of n lines along first diagonal 132 of the image, then a second stack of n lines along second diagonal 134. Master clock 130 is the least common multiple of (f1, (1+½n)f2). Master clock 130 is also used as a sampling clock.

The grid pitch is distributed with an x- and y-sine coefficient. Pin cushion distribution 136 of the beam is predictable because of the pure resonant oscillation lead by electrodes 104 in the plane 106 of the wafer. Image linearization in image memory, both before projection for display device and/or after acquisition for image capture, is possible by utilizing interpolation.

An alternative method to obtain a quasi-isometric grid distribution is to truncate the field of scan so as to limit the pitch variation. However, this method results in a reduced effective field of scan. In the alternative method, one must also correct too the opto-mechanical distortion if the incident laser beam is not normal to the mirror. 

1. A 2D optical scanner, comprising: 2D gimbals resonant mirror, said 2D gimbals resonant mirror having x- and y-torsional suspension hinges and electrostatic driving electrodes in the plane of the resting position; two driving clocks, the first driving clock having a first frequency f₁ and the second driving clock having a second frequency, where f1 and f₂ where f₁=f₂*k, where k is a rational number close to 1, n is a natural number and k=161/n; a variable dc voltage added to the driving clocks such to tune the effective stiffness of the x- and y-torsional suspension hinges in closed-looped control with the detection of X and Y minimum oscillation amplitudes; a laser beam wherein the beam is projected toward the mirror and deflected in an x-direction and a y-direction by the mirror; and at least one photocell to receive the deflected light.
 2. The 2D scanner of claim 1, wherein the driving clocks frequencies f₁ and f₂ are generated by two digital counters dividing a common clock whose the frequency f_(cc) is equal to a common multiple of f₁ and f₂.
 3. The 2D scanner of claim 2 wherein a scanning field is quantized in discrete elements with a pixel clock having a frequency f_(pc) equal to or a multiple of the frequency f_(cc) of the common clock.
 4. The 2D scanner of claim 1 wherein the deflected beam has a pin cushion distribution.
 5. The 2D scanner of claim 1 wherein the deflected beam traces a stack of n lines in the x-direction and then n lines in the y-direction.
 6. A 2D optical scanner, comprising: 2D gimbals resonant mirror, said 2D gimbals resonant mirror having x- and y-torsional suspension hinges and electrostatic driving electrodes in the plane of the resting position; two driving clocks, the first driving clock having a first frequency f₁ and the second driving clock having a second frequency, where f1 and f₂ where f₁=f₂*k, where k is a rational number less than 1; a variable dc voltage added to the driving clocks such to tune the effective stiffness of the x- and y-torsional suspension hinges in closed-looped control with the detection of x and y minimum oscillation amplitudes; a laser beam wherein the beam is projected toward the mirror and deflected in an x-direction and a y-direction by the mirror; and at least one photocell to receive the deflected light.
 7. The 2D scanner of claim 1, wherein the driving clocks frequencies f₁ and f₂ are generated by two digital counters dividing a common clock whose the frequency f_(cc) is equal to a common multiple of f₁ and f₂.
 8. The 2D scanner of claim 2 wherein a scanning field is quantized in discrete elements with a pixel clock having a frequency f_(pc) equal to or a multiple of the frequency f_(cc) of the common clock.
 9. The 2D scanner of claim 1 wherein the deflected beam has a pin cushion distribution.
 10. The 2D scanner of claim 1 wherein the deflected beam traces a stack of n lines in the x-direction and then n lines in the y-direction.
 11. A method scanning a bar code comprising the steps of: illuminating a bar code with an illumination source having a lighting wavelength and a thin, bright lighting path, embedding said lighting path in 3D volume of view of the bar code, passing backscattered light from the bar code through a filter centered on the lighting wavelength, sensing the light backscattered from the barcode by an array of pixels having a pixel height and pixel width, artificially reducing pixel height to m*w where m is the magnification of a lens in the scanner and w is the thickness of the lighting path; and decoding the bar code.
 12. The method of claim 11 wherein the bar code is read using a scanner comprising an illumination source, the lens, said lens positioned such that light emitted by the illumination source passes through the lens into a thin, bright beam; a photosensor comprising the array of pixels, and the filter, said filter located in front of the sensor, between the lens and the sensor or on the lens.
 13. The method of claim 11 wherein said barcode is located at a far field from the scanner.
 14. The method of claim 11 wherein the pixel height is increase without increasing the number of pixels in the array.
 15. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of reducing the tilt dependence of the scanner.
 16. The method of claim 11 wherein resolution of the image is only dependent on the thickness of the lighting path.
 17. The method of claim 12 wherein said barcode is located at a far field from the scanner.
 18. The method of claim 12 wherein the pixel height is increase without increasing the number of pixels in the array.
 19. The method of claim 14 wherein said barcode is located at a far field from the scanner.
 20. The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of reducing the tilt dependence of the scanner. 